West Virginia Governor Justice And President Trump Have A Fleet Of Private Jets and Helicopters

Doug Gollan

1 year ago

We don’t know if they are jet card members

When President Donald Trump visited West Virginia last night and joined with Governor James (Jim) C. Justice at a political event it didn’t just mark the meeting of two billionaire politicians, it represented a literal private air force of private jets and helicopters. While we don’t know if either Trump or Justice are jet card users through their various companies, we do estimate about 50 percent of jet card members have more than one private jet solution, be it using a company jet, owning aircraft, having fractional shares, chartering on-demand or via multiple jet cards.

While Trump has built his fortune on real estate, leading to hotels and golf courses, Justice built his empire on farming and coal mining but got into the hospitality sector to rescue The Greenbrier, an iconic landmark in his home state, which he bought in 2009 for a reported $20.5 million.

Interestingly, Governor Justice has also had dealings with Russians. In his case, according to reports, he sold some of his coal mines to a Russian firm in 2009 for $568 million, but with coal prices plummeting and mines closing, bought them back for just $5 million. Like the President, Justice is also competitive. In addition to coaching high school sports, he reportedly offered employees at The Greenbrier a 10 percent raise if they regained the fifth star.

When it comes to private aviation, Justice has at least five aircraft associated with companies he owns, according to AMSTAT. Air Justice includes a 2006 Dassault Falcon 50EX, 2008 Cessna Citation Encore +, 2004 Beechcraft Corp. King Air B200, plus a Bell 427 and Agusta A109Grand helicopter.

While President Trump currently enjoys access to U.S. government owned private jets, companies he owns still list aircraft, including his widely seen 1991 Boeing 757, a 1997 Cessna Citation X and three Sikorsky S-76B helicopters.

Altogether, Justice and Trump have four private jets, a turboprop, and five helicopters. Of course, they are not the only politicians or former politicians without some nice metal. Huntsman Chemical, the family company of the former Utah governor has two Gulfstream GIVSP. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has five private aircraft associated with his companies, including a helicopter and two Dassault Falcon 900EX.